Clive mayor's latest pledge: I'll finish ride

Thu June 19 2008
Posted Jun 19, 2008
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By VANNAH SHAW vkshaw@dmreg.com Spring weather hasn't allowed much time for training, but Mayor Les Aasheim said he is determined to make it through the Clive Mayor's 50K Bike Ride even if he has to walk or stop to rest. The third annual bike ride on Saturday is part of the Clive Festival. Coordinators said the weather shouldn't deter the ride, which begins at 1 p.m. Saturday on the Clive Greenbelt Trail by the Clive Aquatic Facility and will follow the Greenbelt and Colby trails, eventually taking riders on the Rill Riley Trail to Water Works Park in Des Moines before returning to Clive. Any route changes will be posted on the festival Web site: www.clivefestival.com. "We'll still be riding, no matter what," said Julie Cirksena, a grand marshal of the festival. Cirksena said the ride will go on even if they have to do the equivalent of a rain dance that keeps the sun shining. The first ride occurred in 2006, as part of the town's 50th birthday celebration. The bike ride started after Aasheim saw similar rides in other cities. Aasheim emphasized the ride is not a race but a time to enjoy the outdoors. As an avid biker who has been on many rides across the country, he said he appreciates Iowa's trails. "We're pretty lucky," Aasheim said. "We have some nice trails from point to point." The event is for riders of all ages and all skill levels. There are riders who have babies with them, as well as more serious riders, Cirksena said. Additionally, the ride is a great way to participate in the Clive Festival. After the ride, event coordinator Eric Klein said he encourages participants to go back to the festival and enjoy the carnival, free music, fireworks and other activities. "It's a great way to mix a beautiful bike ride with an opportunity to ride with the mayor of Clive, and enjoy all the fun Clive Fest offers," Klein said.